WHAT HAPPENED - 11 months ago, on Jan. 26th, 2007, our adorable baby girl contracted viral encephalitis. We found her in her crib, unconscious, having seizures, and clinging to life. She was rushed to the ER, where she spent 2 weeks in a coma. Her doctors were not sure she would live. We spent another 2 months in the hospital. She had surgery to put a feeding tube into her stomach. We finally brought her home on April 1st. Her MRI reveled significant global brain damage.

HER PROGNOSIS – “it will be miraculous if Suzy progresses to much more than a vegetative state. She probably won’t ever sit by herself, communicate, feed herself, walk, play with toys, or enjoy much quality of life.”We were told, "there is a ‘great’ institution in the neighboring city that would take her." (This was NOT an option for us).

HER SUMMER – Suzy spent the summer crying!! She was just plain miserable. I spent the summer crying!! I was just plain miserable. We had lost our precious baby.

Suzy couldn’t laugh, eat, suck, hold up her head, bear weight on her legs, move her arms, get her hands into her mouth, focus with her eyes, or pay attention to toys or people.

She threw up 8 times per day, had chronic diarrhea, lost weight, and could NOT be put down.

We went to several doctor appointments each week trying desperately to make her feel better. My heart was simply breaking into pieces.

HER TREATMENTS – We just hated the neurologist's prognosis. We felt we needed to do everything we could think of to prove him wrong.

2. reach out, pick up something, and put it into her mouth, or just look at it.

3. ride in a carseat or stroller without screaming and crying.

4. watch T.V. - she will be able to pay attention to it, and focus on it.

5. sleep through the night

6. vocalize - babble, or make some noises besides crying or laughing.

Suzy is a joy to our family. We all love her so much. We are lifted up by the sound of her laughter, and we are inspired by her determination. She is our fighter, and we will support her forever. She is teaching us so much about patience, and love, and the power of family.